Gilbert Burns routs Woodley in UFC's return to Las Vegas

 Gilbert Burns dominated former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley to win a unanimous decision on Saturday night in mixed martial arts promotion's return to Las Vegas.

Brazilian heavyweight Augusto Sakai employed some unpunished gamesmanship to eke out a split-decision victory over Bulgaria’s Blagoy Ivav in penultimate bout of UFC’s first show in its hometown since coronavirus pandemic began.

event was held without fans at UFC Apex, a gym with broadcast facilities on promotion’s corporate campus. UFC used minimal personnel to st fight, and promotion said everyone involved was subject to strict health and safety protocols.

33-year-old Burns (19-3) dominated on his feet and on ground, finishing his first main-event bout with likely biggest win of his career and his sixth consecutive victory since July 2018. Florida-based Brazilian soundly defeated one of most accomplished welterweights in UFC history and made his case for a shot at champion Kamaru Usman in crowded 170-pound division.

judges all gave all five rounds to Burns, scoring it 50-45, 50-44 and 50-44.

Burns came out with furious energy against Woodley, dropping ex-champ in opening seconds and gaining full mount. A gaping cut opened in Woodley's left eyebrow in opening minutes, and Burns again overcame Woodley's famously strong takedown defense to drop Woodley again in second round.

Woodley (19-5-1) hadn't fought since losing his title in a one-sided thrashing from Usman in March 2019. Woodley had reigned atop division for nearly three years, and 38-year-old University of Missouri graduate said he dealt with depression while debating wher to stay in MMA or to pursue a music career.

Burns' victory capped an entertaining show at Apex, where octagon is only 25 feet in diameter, compared to 30 feet in most competitive cs. compact dimension typically lead to more aggressive fighting, and this card featured six finishes in its 11 bouts.

Burns was fighting in a fan-free arena for second time in 2 1/2 months. He stopped veteran Demian Maia in Brasilia on March 14 in UFC’s final show before it halted competition.

After an eight-week break, UFC returned to competition earlier this month with three shows over eight days in Jacksonville, Florida. With ambitions to hold near-weekly cards throughout summer as part of its expansive broadcast deal with ESPN, promotion relocated its operations to its own facilities after Nevada Athletic Commission agreed three days ago to allow return of combat sports.

Although this card was fairly light on star power, promotion will st UFC 250 next Saturday night from same gym. Two-division champion Amanda Nunes' fearweight title defense against Canada's Felicia Spencer headlines pay-per-view card.

UFC President Dana White continues to promise additional shows this summer from so-called “Fight Island,” an undisclosed private isle where promotion intends to host bouts between fighters who can't enter U.S. due to health restrictions.

Sakai (15-1-1) remained unbeaten in UFC with his fourth straight victory when two judges favored him 29-28 after a lively bout with Ivav (18-4), who was up 30-27 on third judge's card.

Sakai escaped punishment from referee Jason Herzog in third round when he blatantly grabbed chain-link wall of c while attempting to avoid a takedown attempt by Ivav.

Grabbing c is illegal and punishable by a point deduction, but Herzog merely warned Sakai verbally. decision was met with audible disbelief by Daniel Cormier, former UFC heavyweight champion working in quiet arena as a color commentator.

Strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern opened main card by finishing Hannah Cifers with a knee bar that was first leg-lock submission victory by a woman in UFC history. Dern (8-1) earned her first win since giving birth to her daughter last year.